Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork an easy pulled pork recipe that’s perfectly tender every time.  It’s braised in beer and smothered homemade bbq sauce!

You know you got a good workout when you’re abs are so sore that you can still barely lean up to get yourself out of bed 2 days later.  That’s what I experienced today after a killer TRX workout Sunday.  The instructor really keeps us moving hard core the entire hour, so it’s cardio and strength training in one.  

That’s what I call efficient, and it really makes me feel like I earned my supper when dinner rolls around. That’s a good thing, because dishes like this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is often on the menu on Sundays, and I enjoy it that much more knowing I earned it. 🙂

Slow cooker pulled pork

Yesterday I shared these Homemade Burger Buns with you, so today it was important to follow up with something that you can actually fill them with. This bbq pulled pork is just the thing.  I’ve made this pork 3 times over the past few months, and it took everything I had to finally get a photo of it last time.  

You can’t beat meals like this pulled pork because it’s so easy, it feeds a crowd, and everyone always loves it.  Who doesn’t like super tender pulled pork smothered in a tangy, sweet barbecue sauce?  

It’s the best kind of make ahead meal.  

How to make slow cooker bbq pulled pork

• Rub the roast generously with a simple spice rub the night before.
• In the morning, pop the pork butt in the slow cooker and pour a beer over it.  Cook on low for 8 hours or until it shreds easily with a fork.
• While the pork is cooking, prepare the homemade honey pineapple barbecue sauce.  You may also opt to use my homemade bourbon bbq sauce or your favorite store bought brand.
• When the pork is done, toss with the desired amount of barbecue sauce and serve.

Recipe notes

• This slow cooker pulled pork recipe also makes a great topping for spaghetti squash, baked sweet potato, nachos, or even pizza.  
• For best results, don’t cook the pork butt at high temperature for a shorter period of time as it may not be as tender. Low and slow is the way to go.
• The beer may be substituted with water, pineapple juice or the liquid of your choice.
• Barbecue sauce will keep in the fridge tightly sealed for up to 2 weeks.  

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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Yield: 10 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 hours

Total Time: 10 hours 30 minutes

Beer Braised Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Honey Pineapple Barbecue Sauce is pork roast rubbed generously with a spice rub, braised in beer, and smothered in a tangy, sweet barbecue sauce. Serve as a sandwich, or as a topping for sweet potatoes, nachos, or pizza!

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Ingredients

For the pork:

• 3 1/2 lb. pork shoulder
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 (12 fl. ounce) bottle pale ale, or the beer of your choice

For the barbecue sauce:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh or canned pineapple juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• dash of liquid smoke

Instructions

Prepare the pork:

1. In a small bowl, combine the sea salt, black pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, coriander, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground mustard. Generously rub the pork roast, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
2. The next morning, place the pork roast in your slow cooker, and pour the beer over it. Cover and cook at low heat for 8-10 hours or until very tender.

Prepare the barbecue sauce:

1. Place the ketchup, honey, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, pineapple juice, white vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, ground mustard and cayenne in a small sauce pan and heat over medium low heat until it comes to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer 5 minutes. Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
2. When the pork is tender, shred with two forks and place in a large bowl. Add enough barbecue sauce to coat. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• This slow cooker pulled pork recipe also makes a great topping for baked sweet potato, nachos, or even pizza.  

• For best results, don't cook the pork butt at high temperature for a shorter period of time as it may not be as tender. Low and slow is the way to go.
• The beer may be substituted with water, pineapple juice or the liquid of your choice.
• Barbecue sauce will keep in the fridge tightly sealed for up to 2 weeks.  

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 765Total Fat: 43gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 179mgSodium: 1722mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 2gSugar: 33gProtein: 48g

Nutrition information is mean to be an estimate only. The numbers will vary based on the quantity consumed, brands used and substitutions that are made.

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